Tag: gratitude

Over the last few years, I have really gained a confidence in what I know when it comes to yoga. When I first finished my teacher training and met people and teachers with so much experience, I wondered how I could ever feel confident to teach anyone yoga. After years of daily practice, learning from my teachers and even more so from my own trifecta of body, mind and soul, I started to get it. Now I am a yoga teacher and and teach what I know, no more and no less. It feels like this is the way it is meant to be.

Being confident in myself has been a long road in many respects and I have found my greatest teacher of all to be experience. When you speak to people who are getting on in years, they really have something to be respected for without knowing anything else about them. Life experience teaches rhythms, echoes important messages and above all else it removes novelty. It’s sort of funny that when we are young, we seem to think we know everything and much better than our parents because they don’t seem to react the way we do at that age. The truth be known, it is likely because they have been there and done that and know:)

I want to share a story with you that illustrates this novelty because the experience I had was new. The difference is how I managed the situation and how it demonstrates my life experiences and personal wisdom.

Recently I was thinking about going back to work part-time in the dental field which is how I have been trained professionally and worked in for all the years before I had my children. I applied to a place close to home. They were awesome, I did a working interview and we both felt like I was a great fit. But daycare and the odd hours threw up obstacles. I left the place I really felt comfortable leaving my soon to be 3 year old son crying because it wasn’t going to work for us. This was the novelty part- my emotions ruled my demeanour.

The self doubt I began to experience about every aspect of this course of events was overwhelming. I mean, I’m supposed to be able to work with my emotions and calm myself from my daily training and meditation but let’s face it, sometimes life throws a real curve ball and you get tossed down on your ass with your arms and legs flailing around like an upside down ladybug. I was literally losing sleep over my decisions. I didn’t want to lose such an amazing opportunity but once I started to reconnect and regain my ability to decode the messages my heart was delivering to my brain, I knew what was right. I had to let go of the opportunity. The timing wasn’t quite right and I didn’t really know what to expect, going back into the workforce after spending a few years at home.

The dentist and office manager were totally understanding and said that when I am ready, to give them a call and see where they are at. Sweet!! But seriously- it was interesting to observe my behaviour as the situation unfolded. Tension, stress and self doubt filled into my thoughts and feelings. But when you think about it, its okay to experience these feelings and observe how I feel. It is about the realization that this is what is taking place and that ultimately I must fully allow myself to lean into the trust I have on my intuition. It speaks softly, steadily and has never led me down the wrong path. I listen and I let things sink in. Maybe it is age, maybe it is my yoga practice or maybe it’s experience. Who knows? All I know for sure is that I am comfortable with my decision and there are important parts of life that deserve my undivided attention for as long as I am able to do that.

My little boo will only be this tender age once. Though I would like to get back into the work force, waiting a bit longer is the right thing to do. I do want to teach more yoga as well and that is something I can accommodate in my life right now. I can bring the gift of yoga to others and open the door for them to embark on their own journey within, to teach people how to breathe and reconnect with themselves. I have already started to bring this back into my life in a confident way. I am excited to see what is coming and more so to be free from the emotional roller coaster of self doubt I was riding!

Honestly, I hope that each and every one of you is having a fabulous Friday! I truly appreciate you all! I really enjoy reading your comments, please share your thoughts with me! Wishing you smiles, laughs, hugs and happiness always.

It seems that this year, I am so much more aware of the happenings over the last year than in those past. I started this blog this year and in preparing my writings for it, I suppose it has helped me to really put conscious memory into action as I ponder my thoughts and feelings. I have observed a great deal about my little life and noticed some wonderful things and also some places that could use some really overdue attention. I really love writing this blog, by the way;) There is far too much truth in the fact that we mostly, blindly, fail to acknowledge places in our lives that make us uncomfortable. For me, in the past it was a fear of failing to be my best all the time. I have managed to work quite a bit there and feel much better about this work in progress. This year I experienced some dark times in the beginning of it. Out of my control, but they quelled my growing ability to shine forth more confidently. Many steps back, I notice that I must draw attention once again to confidence in the radiance of my being.
In 2018, I will take charge of old patterns rather than let them play out. I will speak from within and hold no expectation of how it will be interpreted by those around me. If I am true, I can’t be mistaken for anything other than the true intention that I really am. If negativity happens, it is not me but a reflection of others. I will be TRUE. I also noticed that I live in a very regimented pattern in my life. Im an ashtangi and it is not difficult to see why I love the practice of Ashtanga yoga so much. It is also very disciplined. However, it impedes my social interactions with people. If time spent doesn’t fit into my comfortable schedule, I can get, well, agitated. I have been aware of this for some time, and have made some progress but it needs more.

I also can’t cook. I don’t like holding meals because food doesn’t inspire me. I am also vegetarian, which doesn’t harmonize with people around me. Food is more of a subsistence of life for me. It seems to create issues for social gatherings because I don’t relate well to others in this way. I am good at doing activities with people or having a coffee and a chat. Evening visits with a glass of wine aren’t too shabby either, lol, right?? But in all seriousness, I want to connect again without fear of judgement. If I don’t fear it, it can’t burden me. I will practice my meditations, affirmations and general thoughts to help create new mental patterns. If you think it enough, it will become real. I know my intentions are to relate to others, to feel them.

The new year isn’t necessarily about changing things or becoming a new person. It is about reflecting on what works and what doesn’t. Realizing what could do with some improvement and what is working better than ever. I like the reset feeling. It reminds me of morning time. I love the feeling of waking up and being out before others. Everything is fresh, untouched by the essence of daytime and I get to see it. That is what the new year is akin to. A time to refresh, reflect and be a better version of me.

I hope you enjoy this time of year and start off in 2018 with your best foot forward. Be fierce, be powerful, be You.

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve!!! We are away holidaying at a ski resort for Christmas this year. Usually we go down south but we wanted to try a winter holiday this year. Though I am with the people I consider to be the essence of my existence, I do miss our family that we will not see over the next few days. I feel love, hope and enthusiasm for the coming new year and felt some inspiration for a poem. Hope you are having a wonderful time, celebrating life, love and all the important things at this special time of year!!

That Christmas Feeling

The snow begins to fall,
Gracefully feathering down to the ground,
The night is lit up with coloured lights,
Eyes are wide for every child in town.

The carols play over the radio,
Bringing back memories of this time,
A sweet nostalgic feeling to embrace,
The scent of evergreen is in its prime.

School is out for the holidays,
Children play and eat the snow,
No care in the world is what they have,
Carefree and happy feelings is what they know.

A time for friends and family,
Smiles and hugs will fill your days,
Chocolates and sweet cookies,
Love is shown in so many beautiful ways.

Thinking about what’s important,
Squeezing close with those held dear,
Don’t forget to look into their eyes,
And let them know that you are near.

Love is the reason for all this fuss,
Don’t let the purpose become skewed,
Let your loved ones know how you feel,
And your feelings show their magnitude.

I love you now, today and tomorrow,
I will love you forever more.
My heart is full when we’re together,
You make me feel like I could soar.

Merry Christmas to you my friend,
May your holiday be sweet,
Enjoy making new memories,
That forever you may keep.

By: Lisa Michelle

Keep smiling my gorgeous friends, Love to you all. We are all human beings, craving understanding, connection and above all Love. I feel it and it is so beautiful. Kiss and hug your loved ones!!!

I feel like this topic is rather fitting for me this week. Firstly, I am lucky to have been able to compose a post for my blog at all as I have been quite ill. I don’t really get sick often, but when I do, it’s biblical, it’s apocalyptic. Isn’t that how the Most Interesting Man would describe it?

Earlier this week, I was taking my Young Living Thieves blend essential oil, 1 drop under my tongue, 2x day to fight off a cold my kids had, that I felt coming on. Then suddenly on Thursday evening I started getting the chills so terribly that I just couldn’t get warm enough to stop shaking. Just before this happened, I tried to do my yoga practice because I had taught 4 hours of yoga that day and hadn’t fit my own in yet. That ended quickly as my tummy started getting queazy. An hour later, my son woke up screaming…he had it too. We both caught a nasty flu bug!! The weakness and body aches I experienced with this flu were debilitating. I could barely sleep. I lay on the couch moving in and out of sleep as my husband tended to our daughter, the next day, and I began to realize how fortunate I am. Doesn’t that sound weird? As my son lay, cuddled next to me, we watched movie after movie and made it through the day foggily. I lay there thinking about how much different this experience is that my usual daily routine.

I am not one to lay on the couch, I’m more energetic and like to get things done. My body allows me to do my yoga practice, to teach yoga and to run around and do activities and play with my children at will. It is when I am stuck, like a weak little twig, about to break on the couch that I remember what a gift it is to have these physical abilities available to me. Part of getting sick is simply reminding us to be grateful for what we have. The smaller things that I count on a daily basis are really a blessing. It’s so easy to forget how fortunate I am to be able to move, feel strong, have energy and enjoy life. I thought what it was to be an older person, who lacks energy and ability just merely because of age. I know that one day, I will be there. So for now, I am so grateful that, if I take care of my body, its strength will return to me.

I am grateful that my husband has a flexible job so that he could take care of us while I could not. He washed all the laundry, kept us hydrated and made us food when we were able to eat some. I am grateful that my daughter was able to keep herself busy and understand why mommy and her brother could not play with her.

My son was up and running around long before I could muster enough strength to get off the couch later today. I mean, it was just before dinner that I was able to finally take a shower and brush my teeth!! So you see friends, I am also grateful to have you as my readers, and I don’t want to let a week go by without sharing something with you about how yoga has influenced my life and how I think about it. Being sick isn’t fun, but remembering to be grateful for what I have is such a positively beautiful experience. I wish you all a healthy and happy week ahead and promise that next week, I will have more to share with you.